Tavaras lay on his bed, the chirping and buzzing from outside like white noise lulling him to a peaceful afternoon nap.
He was back at home, Pravo had an arm around his shoulder and they were watching their moms prepare a feast. The two of them had just graduated highschool, and as always both their families were going to celebrate together. The smell of fresh bread and toasted spices permeated his nostrils and he felt like he was in heaven.
Tavaras was then in the courtyard lying in his chair, stuffed with the amazing meal and the lingering taste of honey in his mouth. The roar of laughter and the bonfire surrounded him, and he felt the warm embrace of his mom congratulating him for a job well done. Laughter turned to screams, and Tavaras jolted his eyes open. The sounds of small explosions engulfed the area, and he looked at each of his loved ones. His uncle, fat and jolly, scattered into blue light. His aunt and cousins with their infectious laughter, the same.
Pravo's family, the people who had been like a second family to him after his own dad passed away. Gone, the blue light drawn out by the orange flames of the bonfire.
Pravo himself. His brother. His best friend for as long as he could remember. His smile and laughter scattering into the moonlit sky.
In horror he turned to his mom. Her sweet smile even after all the shit their life had given them. The weight of her embrace lifted as she joined the rest of his family in the sky.
Tavaras woke up with a small scream and jolted up. A cold sweat covered his body while he looked outside. The sun was still up, although a bit lower than when he had conked out. Fucking hell. He hadn't had a dream that vivid in a long time. Why did it have to end like that?
"You okay?" Deon sat up on his bed as Tavaras got up to walk to the washroom.
"Fine, just a bad dream." He grabbed a towel and started patting his forehead. He could do with a proper bath and a soak in the hot springs, but it felt insensitive to ask for that after everything that had happened. Instead he contented himself with the lukewarm water in the large buckets. His muscles tensed as the water washed away the sweat from the morning and from his dream.
Sitting there, the chill of the air upon his wet skin allowed Tavaras the clarity to replay the last couple of weeks in mind. He considered these people like family now, after such a short time. They had all come face to face with death multiple times, and the solidarity and comradery that gave them ate at him. He sighed; alcohol would be really nice right about now.
Just as he was thinking that, the door slammed open and Edward stumbled in. His blond hair was a mess and he looked tense. He rushed past Tavaras to the sink and gargled water. Concern reached Tavaras's face; Edward had come face to face with Devimon himself and hadn't reacted like this.
"What's going on?" The older man wiped his mouth.
"They killed him." His voice was hoarse. Tavaras looked at him in confusion. "They killed Woodmon, right there in the hall. They had this mock ass trial and Babamon did some... bullshit."
So that's how they did things here? Tavaras was surprised, but not disappointed in the slightest. He shrugged and went back to wiping himself down.
"You don't care?" Edward sounded shocked.
"Why should I? You reap what you sow."
"I-it's barbaric!"
Tavaras got up and put his clothes on. Walking up to Edward, he patted him on the shoulder. "You think they have alcohol here? I need a drink. And it looks like you do too." Edward looked aghast at his nonchalant attitude. "Okay, whatever. Come if you want. If I'm gonna talk about this shit, I need something strong."
—
"Tavaras!" Greymon and Monochromon greeted Tavaras as he, Edward, Wormmon, and Deon came into the dining hall. The Monochromon were standing by what looked like a trough filled with a clear liquid.
"Please tell me that's not water." Greymon laughed and waved them over. Their faces were flushed, and Tavaras got a good feeling.
"This, my friend, is Caka." Tavaras got a sniff as he got closer. That was strong. "Hey, Nanimon. Get our friends here a cup of the good stuff!" Tavaras almost recoiled when he saw a near-naked head with muscular limbs walk in carrying a tray with four cups full of the stuff.
Nanimon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/e/e5/Nanimon.jpg/320px-Nanimon.jpg]
Taking the cup, he held it up to his nose. To sip or just knock it back? Well the others were taking it slow. He looked around and saw Deon take his cup nervously.
"First drink buddy?" Tavaras asked. The young boy nodded. "You don't have to drink it if you don't want."
"Yeah." Greymon said. "We can get you a nice glass of milk instead." They roared with laughter and Tavaras found himself joining in.
"I can drink this, no problem!" Deon looked offended.
"Um, is this safe?" Edward's voice was quiet, as if he knew he was going to be made fun of. Tavaras rolled his eyes. He would ignore that one.
"To Tyranomon." He raised his glass. "I may have only known them a short while, but those sons of bitches were some of the best men I've ever had the pleasure of calling brother."
"Yeah!" A chorus of cheers from the Greymon and Monochromon echoed his small little eulogy, and Tavaras found himself instinctively taking the drink like a shot. It was bitter and tasted a little bit dirty, but it was strong. More so than anything he'd drunk back at home. The burn as it went down his throat was intense, and he felt invigorated by it.
"Hahaha!" Greymon laughed. "The human's a real man!" They followed suit and downed the drink, burping loudly. Edward, deciding against that, made a weird face and shook his head as he sipped the drink. Dude probably drank light beer. Tavaras turned his head, hearing Deon coughing. He on the other hand had done what the rest of them did, and was paying the price. Tavaras felt bad. Brave kid, but this was probably a terrible first drink for him.
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"Did you guys know what would happen to Woodmon?" Edward was uncharacteristically serious.
"Hmm?" Monochromon looked at him. "Yeah, that's just how we do things around here."
"Ha! You didn't know? No wonder you stayed." Edward looked irritated at Greymon's taunt. Tavaras frowned, that wasn't a fair thing to knock him down for.
"Hold on." Deon interrupted. "What happened?" Tavaras groaned, kicking himself for not telling the kid before they left. He shook his head to the others and walked up to Deon. Putting his hand on the young boy's shoulder, he closed his eyes.
"We were attacked, like back at the temple. None of us really want to relive it, but the short of it is Tyranomon ended up paying the price. Woodmon fell under SkullSatamon's control, like Gotsumon back then." Deon looked down silently.
"Sorry." He mumbled.
"Ah, enough of this!" Greymon shouted. "You humans are too sentimental. You know what we do when we lose friends? We drink!" Deon smiled, and Tavaras felt one touch his own lips. Edward frowned, but stayed quiet. He may not agree with their methods, but even he knew not to get too involved. They were all just unwitting guests in this world.
Right on cue, Nanimon came back around with refills. Getting to Deon, the muscle head held up a different, larger cup. "You want some water, kid?" Deon looked up, stumbling back a bit, and shook his head.
"No way! I can handle this." Nanimon laughed and handed Deon the smaller cup of Caka. Tavaras smiled, and took another one for himself. The kid was gonna feel this in the morning. Edward on the other hand politely shook his head, indicating to his still almost full cup. Nanimon looked disappointed and disappeared into the back. Wormmon too was just sipping his drink. Was it even good for the Digimon to be drinking?
Tavaras took the cup to his lips and sipped. It tasted horrible, but he'd be damned if he took it as a shot again. Not only was it strong, but this was almost triple a standard shot size.
"Ahh!" Deon stumbled back and Tavaras looked over in shock. The kid had actually thrown it back. Again!
"Hahahaha! I like this kid too!" Greymon cheered. Tavaras walked over and put a stabilizing hand on Deon's back.
"I. Yeah! I can hawv a-anowtha." The kid was already at the point of slurring his speech. As Nanimon walked back in, Tavaras shook his head. "W-what. I can hawndo it." Deon stumbled and swayed back and forth.
"Oh no. I may be an irresponsible enabler, but even I have a limit to what I'll allow." He shot a glare at Greymon, who had opened his mouth. Nanimon had gone and come back with some water. Tavaras walked Deon to a bench and sat him down, putting the water in front of him. "Drink." He commanded.
"What's going on?" Tavaras turned and saw Senna and Imogen walking towards them. Senna still had a blank stare on her face, but the blond girl looked aghast. "Are you guys drinking?"
"Yeah, can you believe they had this? It tastes like shit, but ohh boy did I need it." She ignored him and stomped up to her brother.
"Really? After everything, you're drinking?" Edward recoiled and put his cup down.
"Iggy, it was just a little bit. I can control myself." She shook her head, and looked at Deon. Her eyes widened seeing the state the poor boy was in.
"And both of you!" She rounded on Tavaras now. "How could you let Deon get like that?"
"Whoa, don't worry. He's fine. Sure his head might hurt in the morning, but we've all been there!" Tavaras protested. She glared at him. "He's done anyways, that's water in front of him."
"He'd better be done." Imogen shook her head in disbelief and stormed out.
"Iggy wait!" Edward cried. Putting his drink down, he ran out after his sister.
"What was that about?" Tavaras asked himself. Shrugging, he took a seat across from Deon and Senna. Deon was lounged back in his chair, amusingly he had a bit of drunk cockiness in his body.
"Wooh-pahh!" Greymon made a motion of cracking a whip and the Digimon laughed. Tavaras smirked and shook his head.
"You feeling okay?" He asked the short haired young girl. She looked up, eyes haggard, and pointed to Edward's cup.
"Gimme that." He opened his eyes, but didn't refuse. He's nothing if not equal opportunity. Senna took a sip, and made a disgusted face.
"Your first time too?" She nodded, and took another one.
"They don't exactly let you drink in hospitals. Especially if you're only 17." Tavaras arched an eyebrow. He had almost forgotten what she was wearing when they first arrived here. He held his cup out, and Senna clinked it. Deon's cup of water shakingly joined them. As Tavaras and Senna took another sip of their drink, Deon chugged the entirety of his own and slammed the cup down.
"Ahhh! OK, I'm weady. Gimme dat." He slurred, pointing to Wormmon's almost full cup. Tavaras rolled his eyes as Senna coughed down a laugh.
"I'll tell you what. If you can get it yourself you can have it." Deon glared at that challenge. Putting his hands on the table, he lifted himself off his seat.
Only to immediately flop back down. "I. I'll get it in a bit." Tavaras laughed, and he saw Senna take more sips.
"Please, don't get like that ."
"It looks fun though." She whined. Her cheeks were getting flush as the cup slowly drained.
"It's GWEAT! " Deon raised his arm and put it around her shoulders. "I feel. I feel like a miwian. A miwian BUCKS." Senna giggled, and Tavaras saw Deon's face light. "Senna, you're weally someting, you know that." Senna blushed and looked speechless.
"Um, I guess?"
"I mean -" Tavaras reached over the table and removed Deon's arm from Senna.
"Easy there, Casanova."
"What? I'm complimenting her." Tavaras sighed.
"Trust me, stop talking until tomorrow morning."
"But I'm fwine!"
"Deon." Tavaras looked at the boy sternly.
"Oh fine." He put his hand down and lay his head on the table.
"What was that about?" Senna asked.
"Nothing. He's drunk." She looked almost disappointed.
"Are you okay?" Senna looked at Deon, and hearing a quiet snore from him, shook her head. She opened her mouth and closed it, as if trying to figure out how to say something. Tavaras let her think it through silently, taking a sip of the liquor.
"Deon and Imogen both know this, but I'm not going back home." Tavaras's jaw clenched, but he stayed quiet. "Long story, but me going back is a death sentence." He closed his eyes and took a breath in. The hospital gown made sense now, as did her cheery personality. As if on queue, bells rang and the sky grew dark.
"So this is your new home then." Senna nodded, and her head swayed with the effects of the alcohol. Deon shifted in place at the noise outside. Senna looked fearful at the sudden movement, but relaxed when she realized he was still asleep.
"Sorry I didn't tell you sooner." Her voice was quiet, just barely above that of the bells. Tavaras shook his head and allowed himself to smile at her.
"It's your secret to tell when you want." Senna looked down, not making eye contact. Tavaras bit his lips; he had a bad feeling about what was coming. Senna finished the rest of her drink. The building shook as meteors impacted it, the noise and vibrations threatening to spill everything. Greymon and Monochromon held their drinks close to them and sat down, to their credit giving space to the humans. Deon stayed asleep; Tavaras couldn't help thinking back to his first time drinking. He barely remembered that night, and was a goner for the entirety of the next day.
"I can't do this Tav. I can't keep fighting like this. I - I don't know if I can keep going with you." Tavaras closed his eyes, not wanting to say the wrong thing; he absolutely understood her, she didn't have any horse in this race. Losing Biyomon would be hard if they ran into any fights. Explosions and shouts rang out as the Digimon fought to defend their home. "I'm sorry." He shook his head and smiled.
"I understand. Don't feel like you need to answer this, but why did you go with us to Log Temple then?" She smiled and lay a hand on Deon's arm. It was folded in front of him and was using it as a pillow. He barely stirred as the noise outside kept booming.
"I - I wanted to help you all. And, after you're gone, well that's it for any human contact." She stared at the wall behind him. "It was fun, having all of you as friends. But now, I'm just scared and I'm tired of all the fighting. I've been close to death so much, you know, that I just can't... anymore." It felt like she wanted to say more, but just fell into silence. Tavaras just looked at her. Poor girl. She was a good kid though, and didn't deserve all this. "Don't tell Deon, okay? I'll tell him when he's ready." He nodded and finished his drink, knowing she meant to leave it for the last minute.
"Thank you Senna." He whispered. "Thank you for sacrificing so much for us. I'm really glad I got to know you." She smiled at him, a weight lifted off her shoulders, but all Tavaras could think about now was the implications of the dying world.